NFC wild-card standings: How Lions' win over Cowboys impacts playoff picture

NFC wild-card standings: How Lions' win over Cowboys impacts playoff picture originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys both came into Thursday night with five losses through 13 weeks, despite their typical high expectations for the 2025 season.

For Detroit, the losses of two coordinators in the offseason, plus some recent injuries, resulted in Dan Campbell's unit recently falling behind in the loaded NFC North. Despite all their talent, a Lions team that's become an annual playoff contender entered Week 14 in danger of falling out of playoff contention.

As for the Cowboys, they've bounced back from a slow start, improving their defense at the trade deadline to help match an elite offense led by Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Both sides came into "Thursday Night Football" unlikely to catch up in their respective divisions -- but still alive in NFC wild card contention.

The Lions' 44-30 win over Cowboys is set to make an impact on the NFC wild card picture. Here's a breakdown of the latest standings.

MORE: Full updated NFL playoff picture

NFC wild card standings

Rank

Team

Record

5*

Seattle Seahawks

9-3

6*

Green Bay Packers

8-3-1

7*

San Francisco 49ers

9-4

8

Detroit Lions

8-5

9

Carolina Panthers

7-6

10

Dallas Cowboys

6-6-1

11

Atlanta Falcons

4-8

12

Minnesota Vikings

4-8

*Projected wild card teams

As things stand entering Week 14 matchups, the current division leaders in the NFC are the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In terms of the wild card picture, the safest bet to still make the playoffs as a non-division winner is the Seahawks, sitting at 9-3 and tied in record with the Rams in the NFC West. That division appears to be sending at least two teams to the NFC playoff bracket in 2025.

The Green Bay Packers are alive in the NFC North, but they also have a favorable path to the playoffs if they can win another two games or so -- the team's tie vs. Dallas could also help the Packers in tiebreaker scenarios, if needed.

Even with the Lions' win over the Cowboys on Thursday, the 49ers remain the final projected NFC wild card team with their 9-4 record. In order for Detroit, Carolina or Dallas to catch up for the No. 7 seed, they'll need some help from San Francisco or Green Bay faltering down the stretch.

Still, Thursday's win was a massive step for Detroit. Not only did Dan Campbell's team gain some ground on the 49ers and Packers, just one game out from the No. 7 spot entering the weekend, but the Lions also hurt Dallas' wild-card chances in the process.

The Lions, Panthers and Cowboys remain the top "outside looking in" teams in the NFC wild card picture.

MORE WEEK 14 NFL:

• NFL power rankings for Week 14

• NFL Week 14 picks, predictions

• NFL Week 14 picks against the spread

Cowboys remaining schedule

There is good news for the Cowboys, despite their Week 14 loss: Dallas' end-of-season schedule remains favorable. The Los Angeles Chargers are the only team with a winning record among Dallas' final four opponents.

Otherwise, the Cowboys' remaining opponents have a combined nine wins in 2025.

Here's the Cowboys' remaining schedule:

Week

Opponent

15

vs. Vikings

16

vs. Chargers

17

at Commanders

18

at Giants

MORE: Full Cowboys playoff picture following Week 14 game

Lions remaining schedule

As for the Lions, they still have some tough matchups remaining. Next week's opponent, the Rams, have been one of the NFL's best teams on both sides of the ball this season, while the AFC North-contending Steelers then await in Week 16.

Here is a look at Detroit's remaining schedule.

Week

Opponent

15

at Rams

16

vs. Steelers

17

at Vikings

18

at Bears

MORE:Full Lions playoff picture after Week 14 game